What if your cholesterol isn’t high because of what you’re eating?
What if the real issue is how your body is actually absorbing it?
In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan Robbins sits down with legendary lipidologist Dr. Tom Dayspring to unpack a little-known genetic condition called phytosterolemia, a disorder that can dramatically impact cholesterol metabolism, cardiovascular risk, and overall health.
For many people, elevated cholesterol is met with generic advice: eat better, exercise more, or start a statin. But as Dr. Dayspring explains, that approach can miss a critical piece of the puzzle. Some individuals are genetically wired to absorb significantly more cholesterol and plant sterols than they should, creating health risks that can go undetected for years, often with serious health consequences.
Why Standard Cholesterol Testing Isn’t Enough
One of the most eye-opening parts of this conversation is the discussion around advanced lipid testing.
Many people are told their cholesterol is “fine” or that there is nothing to worry about based on a basic lipid panel. Yet beneath the surface, important markers such as ApoB, non-HDL cholesterol, sitosterol, and campesterol may be telling a very different story.
Dr. Dayspring explains why understanding whether someone is a hyperabsorber or hypersynthesizer of cholesterol can completely change the treatment approach. Two people may have similar cholesterol numbers but require entirely different interventions based on what is driving those numbers in the first place.
The Genetics Behind Phytosterolemia
At the center of this condition are the ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes, which help regulate how sterols move through the body.
When these genes are not functioning properly, plant sterols can accumulate in the bloodstream and tissues where they do not belong. Over time, this can contribute to cardiovascular disease risk, xanthomas, kidney issues, blood cell abnormalities, and other health challenges.
Susan shares why she has become increasingly interested in these genetic variants after seeing them appear more frequently in her own practice. Many individuals discover these patterns only after years of unexplained cholesterol issues and frustrating conversations with healthcare providers.
The Future of Personalized Lipid Care
This episode is a powerful reminder that health is rarely one-size-fits-all.
Genetics matter. Lifestyle matters. Testing matters.
The more we understand how our unique biology works, the better equipped we are to make informed decisions about our health.
If you’ve been told your cholesterol is elevated, have a family history of heart disease, statins don’t seem to be working, or want to understand the deeper drivers behind cardiovascular risk, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.
Sometimes the answers aren’t found in another diet.
They’re found in understanding how your body was built in the first place.
Below are some charts and resources for more information:
Niemann Pick C1-Like 1 sterol influx transporter and ABCG5 and ABCG8 heterodimer sterol efflux transporters
Boston Heart Absolute Concentrations
Mayo clinic population percentile cut points for males and females
Learn more about Dr. Tom Dayspring:
Thomas Dayspring MD is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians (FACP) and the National Lipid Association (FNLA) and is certified in internal medicine, and clinical lipidology.
After practicing in New Jersey for 37 years (with the last 20 years focused on lipidology and menopausal health), in 2012 he moved to Virginia and served as an educational director for a nonprofit cardiovascular foundation and until mid-2019 as a Chief Academic Advisor for two major CV laboratories (Health Diagnostic Lab & then True Health). Since, he has worked as a lipid educator/research assistant for the prestigious Early Medical team run by longevity expert and author Peter Attia.
Career-wise he has given over 4000 in-person domestic (in all 50 states) and several international lectures, including over 600 CME programs and numerous podcasts/virtual lectures on atherothrombosis, lipids/lipoproteins (and their treatment), vascular biology, biomarker testing, and women’s cardiovascular issues. He has authored several manuscripts and lipid textbook chapters. For several years he was an Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology.
He was the first clinician in the US to be certified in both Lipidology (2007) and as a Menopause Practitioner (by the Menopause Society in 2000). In 2011, he was the second recipient and the first physician to receive the National Lipid Association’s Presidents Award for services to clinical lipidology and in 2023 at b then age of 77 he was awarded the Foundation of National Lipid Association Clinician/Educator Award.
He has Gold Heart Membership status with the American Heart Association. He is the leading global social media lipid influencer with an immense internet following (over 96 K followers on his educational Twitter (X) feed @Drlipid and 5000 medical professionals on LinkedIn. He serves as a Social Media Ambassador for both the European Atherosclerosis Society and for the National Lipid Association. He is also the long-time official historian of the 211-year-old Paterson, NJ Fire Department and in 2018 became only the second honorary Battalion Chief in their history. Visit www.patersonfirehistory.com
RESOURCES:
Connect with Dr. Tom Dayspring
Connect with Susan:
- Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
- Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
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Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
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Learn More about Susan Robbins:
Susan is a retired law enforcement officer and an accomplished Certified Epigenetic Human Performance Coach with a diverse and extensive background in wellness. She began her wellness career in 2015 as a holistic health and stress management coach. Her passion for helping others led her to expand her expertise into epigenetics in 2019, where she discovered the missing piece of the health optimization puzzle: Personalized health.
As a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Level 2 Apeiron Zoh Epigenetic Human Performance Coach (DNA), and Certified PH360 Coach through Precision Health Alliance, Susan has developed a unique approach to health and wellness through completely personalized health. She is the proud recipient of the 2023 Precision Health Alliance Coach of the Year award. Susan works with clients to elevate their health and overall quality of life by understanding their unique needs based on their genetic makeup, taking out the guesswork, and getting results.
